Sprix News

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 28, 2016 – Use of prescription-strength ibuprofen, naproxen and other commonly used pain relievers may be tied to a higher risk of heart failure, researchers report. Medicines like these fall into a category of painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications may raise a person's relative risk of heart failure by nearly 20 percent, according to the analysis of medical records for nearly 10 million patients. That risk increases with the amount of NSAIDs a person is taking, said study author Andrea Arfe, a Ph.D. student at University of Milano-Bicocca, in Italy. A person's risk of hospitalization for heart failure doubles for some NSAIDs used at very high doses, including diclofenac (Cataflam or Voltaren), etoricoxib (Arcoxia), indomethacin (Indocin), and piroxicam (Feldene), Arfe said. Also, "our findings – which focused only on ... Read more

-- Knowing how to properly use over-the-counter medications can help prevent serious reactions and interactions. Here's how to read labels, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians: The active ingredient, or ingredients, is the first thing on the label and it is the chemical that works to manage the symptoms. Uses, or indications, explain what conditions this medication can treat. Warnings provide safety information, including whether or not you should consult a doctor, side effects and what to avoid when you take this medication. Directions tell you how often to take a medicine and exactly how much to take. Other information explains other important details, such as storage recommendations. Inactive ingredients explain chemicals included that don't treat symptoms. This includes things such as binding agents or preservatives. Questions and comments provides information ... Read more

-- Chronic pain can significantly affect your quality of life, physical health and mental health. The Cleveland Clinic suggests these coping techniques: Practice deep breathing and other stress management methods to help you relax. Maintain a positive attitude. Create goals that are attainable. Remember to pace yourself and don't do too much at once. Establish a schedule that makes time for relaxation and exercise. Join a chronic pain support group. Talk with your doctor about how your medications work and side effects. Limit alcohol, and don't smoke. Read more

FRIDAY, July 29, 2016 – More people are surviving cancer, but many are left with persistent pain after treatment. New guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommend that doctors routinely screen for such pain. The guidelines also advise doctors to consider the use of non-traditional treatments for pain. These include hypnosis, meditation and medical marijuana where it's legal. ASCO also cautioned doctors to assess patients' risk for overuse of opioid painkillers. "Many oncologists and primary care physicians are not trained to recognize or treat long-term pain associated with cancer," guideline panel co-chair Judith Paice said in an ASCO news release. "This guideline will help clinicians identify pain early and develop comprehensive treatment plans, using a broad range of approaches," she said. Advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment have led to a record ... Read more

-- Back pain is a common reason for poor sleep. So taking steps to alleviate or prevent pain can help you sleep better. The National Sleep Foundation suggests: If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to help alleviate back pain. If you're a stomach sleeper, place a pillow under your belly. If you're a side sleeper, use a pillow between your knees. Invest in a new mattress. Choose one that's firm or medium-firm for more support. Or plant a sheet of beneath your existing mattress. Get out of bed slowly and gently. Instead of sitting straight up, roll onto your side, push up with your hands and swing your legs over the side. Exercise regularly, making sure to perform strengthening exercises that focus on your back and core. Read more

TUESDAY, May 31, 2016 – If you suffer from migraines, your spouse probably suffers, too. That's the conclusion of researchers who surveyed more than 4,000 people with the debilitating headaches and their spouses/domestic partners. "This study highlights the significant burden that migraine can have on a wide range of family activities, parenting responsibilities, spousal relationships and family finances," said lead author Dawn Buse, director of behavioral medicine at Montefiore Headache Center in New York City. More than two out of five people with migraines and 23 percent of their spouses/partners said they believed the person with migraines would be a better parent if they did not have the condition. About half of the people with migraines had missed at least one family activity in the past month because of a migraine, the study found. About one-third of migraine sufferers and 21 ... Read more

-- A headache is generally recognized as having pain or discomfort anywhere in the head, scalp or neck. It can be a symptom of everything from minor stress to a life-threatening stroke. Learning all you can about your condition is a first step on the road to treatment and prevention. The National Headache Foundation suggests: Learn as much a possible, such as what's probably causing your headaches and how to prevent them. Focus on the most important questions, and get answers to less important questions later. Voice any concerns or fears about your headaches to your doctor. If you don't understand something, ask the doctor for an explanation. Read more

MONDAY, May 23, 2016 – Legions of arthritis sufferers try physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs to no avail. Now, a new study looks East for relief – to the martial art tai chi. Researchers concluded that tai chi offers an alternative to physical therapy for common knee osteoarthritis – and it might also boost well-being. This ancient Chinese exercise may particularly benefit overweight older adults, the researchers said. Heavier people are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than people with a healthy weight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "This research strengthened the evidence that the effectiveness and durability of both tai chi and physical therapy extend to obese older adults with knee osteoarthritis," said Dr. Chenchen Wang. "Such people typically face limited options due to ineffectiveness of osteoarthritis treatments," Wang said. ... Read more

TUESDAY, May 3, 2016 – While doing your spring cleaning, don't just toss out expired or unused prescription medications. Unwanted drugs need to be properly disposed of to reduce the risk of abuse or accidental use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Follow disposal instructions on the drug label or patient information that came with the medicine. Don't put medicines down the sink or flush them down the toilet unless this information specifically says to do so. Call local law enforcement agencies to find out if your community has a medication take-back program or event. Or, ask your local trash or recycling services about medication disposal services and guidelines, the FDA suggests. Another option is to deliver unused medicines to collectors registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These authorized sites may be retail, clinic or hospital pharmacies, and ... Read more

THURSDAY, March 17, 2016 – Acetaminophen – commonly known as Tylenol in the United States – isn't an effective choice for relieving osteoarthritis pain in the hip or knee, or for improving joint function, a new study finds. Although the drug rated slightly better than placebo in studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or diclofenac are better choices for short-term pain relief, the researchers said. "Regardless of dose, the prescription drug diclofenac is the most effective drug among painkillers in terms of improving pain and function in osteoarthritis," said lead researcher Dr. Sven Trelle. He's co-director of clinical trials at the University of Bern in Switzerland. However, even diclofenac comes with side effects. "If you are thinking of using a painkiller for osteoarthritis, you should consider diclofenac," Trelle said, but also ... Read more

MONDAY, Jan. 25, 2016 – Many people with chronic pain ignore dosing instructions on over-the-counter pain medicines and put themselves at risk for an overdose, a new survey suggests. An overdose of these medicines can result in serious side effects, such as stomach bleeding, ulcers, liver damage and even death, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). The AGA-commissioned poll of more than 1,000 U.S. adults aged 30 and older and 251 gastroenterologists found that 43 percent of chronic pain sufferers said they knowingly have taken more than the recommended dose of an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine at some point. Common types of OTC pain medicines include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin. "Pain is incredibly personal, but taking more than the recommended ... Read more

FRIDAY, Dec. 18 – Heavy luggage may be more than a hassle for holiday travels – those overloaded bags can sometimes cause health problems, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) warns. "Individuals are at high risk for back, neck and shoulder strains when carelessly handling heavy luggage," Dr. Nitin Khanna, an orthopedic surgeon and AAOS spokesperson, said in an academy news release. "Always be cognizant of the way you are lifting heavy luggage to avoid painful injuries," Khanna advised. In 2014, Americans suffered almost 73,000 luggage-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. When you shop for new luggage, look for a sturdy, light piece with wheels and a handle, the AAOS said. Pack lightly. If possible, put items in a few smaller bags rather than one large piece of luggage. Never twist your body when carrying or lifting luggage. ... Read more

SUNDAY, Dec. 13, 2015 – Snow removal is a major cause of winter-related injuries, but there are several ways to reduce your risk, an expert says. "Individuals tend to haste through snow shoveling to avoid being outside in the cold for long periods of time," orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Abboud, spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), said in an academy news release. "Unfortunately, rushing through this task can lead to injuries. It should always be done at a slow and steady pace because of the energy and focus that's required. Always check with your doctor before shoveling snow and consider hiring someone to do it for you if you're unable to," he advised. In 2014, more than 203,000 Americans required treatment for injuries suffered while manually clearing snow, and nearly 27,000 were injured using snow blowers or throwers, according to the U.S. Consumer ... Read more

THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 – X-rays don't detect hip arthritis in many patients, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, researchers report. The researchers looked at information from almost 4,500 Americans taking part in two arthritis studies. In one study, only 16 percent of patients with hip pain had X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in the hip and only 21 percent of those with X-ray evidence of arthritis had hip pain. In the other study, the rates were 9 percent and 24 percent, respectively, according to the findings reported recently in the journal BMJ. "The majority of older subjects with high suspicion for clinical hip osteoarthritis did not have radiographic hip osteoarthritis, suggesting that many older persons with hip osteoarthritis might be missed if diagnosticians relied on hip radiographs to determine if hip pain was due to osteoarthritis," said study corresponding ... Read more

FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 – Electrical nerve stimulation may offer some relief for older adults with chronic back pain, a new study suggests. While wearing and activating the "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation" (TENS) device, people had significant improvement in pain when resting, according to the researchers. The study participants also had a reduction in pain while moving, along with improvement in physical functioning, the researchers said. "TENS is not a new treatment. It's been around 50 years or more," said lead researcher Corey Simon, a postdoctoral researcher, in the University of Florida's Pain Research and Intervention Center in Gainesville. The TENS unit is a small battery-powered machine that delivers low-volt electrical current through electrodes placed on the skin. TENS can be used to treat acute pain, including pain with childbirth, or chronic pain, such as ... Read more